UNSETTLE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

unsettle

verb

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl

Definition of unsettle

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unsettle Showers may linger into Friday, while the weekend currently trends cooler and unsettled, with additional shower chances if the front stalls out nearby. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Higher oil prices could reignite inflation concerns, the midterm elections could unsettle investors and weak economic reports could produce sharp swings. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 In reality, the situation in Indiana is completely unsettled, and White was reminded of that on Tuesday night when some fans booed her during pregame introductions ahead of the Fever's home contest against the New York Liberty. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle

Verb

Now investors are wondering whether the bond market’s unease is strong enough to disturb a booming stock market.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
As a parent who has purchased my share of scary Halloween costumes, I was particularly disturbed by the controversy now engulfing Target.

— Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Nothing will keep you from sleeping or distract you from studying like itchy bug bites or the constant sneezing and drippy nose of seasonal allergies.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
The long seven-month offseason has been filled with congressional legislation, eligibility lawsuits, CFP expansion and plenty of other storylines that have distracted from the product on the field.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
California Forever has increasingly pitched the Solano Shipyard as part of a broader effort to rebuild the US maritime industry, a priority among both Democrats and Republicans alarmed over its decline.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

Homecoming aside, there’s still the Trawler to worry about, a fact we’re reminded of when another victim turns up on a playground, this time with a pentagram carved into his back and fish corpses shoved into his wounds.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Bessent’s answer indicates that US officials worry going after Chinese banks would be crossing a red line.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

That's a step in the right direction as far as we're concerned, because Jim Cramer has been after Nvidia to institute an Apple-style stock repurchase strategy.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The artificial-intelligence titan resisted Pentagon demands concerning uses of its technology that included mass surveillance and autonomous lethal weapons.

— Scott M. Curran, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

One of the loudest voices in the cattle world agitating against the border reopening is Bill Bullard, the CEO of R-CALF, a national association of independent cattle and sheep farmers.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Whether that was a message to the fans getting agitated at a pause on signings or the board who were considering their next move, only Carrick knows.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable

unsettle

unsettled

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“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsettle

verb

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